Home2024-04-27T15:28:18-07:00

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Blue Heron Zen Community welcomes you just as you are.

We are an easy-going, friendly community of lay Zen students, physically located in Seattle, Washington, although our online Sangha is far broader. Please join us! Our meditation practice is rooted in the Korean Zen tradition, in the lineage of Zen Master Seung Sahn. Our teachings, forms and meditation practices are open to all people regardless of religious or cultural background. We strive to be an open community by practicing inclusivity with a home-grown community flavor of gentleness, sincerity, good humor and flexibility. Come and visit — our mind/heart doors are open.

We offer group meditation, retreats, talks, and other activities with the simple goal of inspiring and supporting your own efforts to perceive your true nature. The programs at Blue Heron Zen Community can help you begin and sustain a rewarding Zen meditation practice.

View our schedule of in-person and online Group Meditation

Getting Started

With simplicity and wonder, Zen means discovering the true nature of reality. But to truly understand Zen, you must try it for yourself.

If you’re the type of person that likes to jump in with both feet, you are welcome to come to any of our practice times and just join in. Welcome to our sangha and our practice home. There is never a charge for regularly scheduled practice, although donations are gratefully accepted.

If you would like an introduction to our practice, please join us at 9:30 am on Sundays for an orientation with a Dharma Teacher at Blue Heron Zen Community. This in-person session introduces Zen practice and answers your questions. This is followed by our regular Sunday practice at 10:00 am. (If you cannot join an introduction on Sundays, contact us for other options, or come 10 minutes early to any practice.)

What’s Going On

Board Meeting Sunday, May 19, 1:00 pm2024-04-28T15:09:26-07:00

The next meeting of the BHZC Board of Trustees will be held on Sunday, May 19, 2024, at 1:00 pm Pacific Time.  This meeting will be held in-person, at the Zen Center, and will also be streamed on Zoom. All members of the Sangha are welcome to attend, either in person or online.

2nd Blue Heron Art Show, Sunday June 92024-04-24T15:23:11-07:00

The second Blue Heron Art Show will take place Sunday, June 9 (time to be announced). If you wish to participate, please contact Deborah Poe by May 10. View the detailed invitation.

Online Dharma Dialogue Opportunities2024-03-06T17:18:45-08:00

Zen Masters Jeong Ji and Jeong Bong offer online Dharma Dialogues in addition to in-person interviews. If you cannot attend an in-person Dharma Dialogue, we encourage you to sign up for an online Dharma Dialogue. Sign up here with Jeong Ji Soen Sa or here with Jeong Bong Soen Sa.

Our Senior Dharma Teachers also offer Online Dharma Dialogues. You may schedule an appointment by reaching out to them directly.
Jeff Tipp JDPSN jefftipp@gmail.com
Greg Eisen JDPSN eisengn@gmail.com
Paul Gulick JDPSN paul@blueheronzen.org
John Craycraft john.craycraft@comcast.net
Chris Chapman JDPSN chris@blueheronzen.org

Residential Training Opportunity2023-04-06T09:38:43-07:00

Blue Heron Zen Community has openings for residential Zen training at our Center.  Residence offers an opportunity to deepen one’s Zen practice.  Prospective residents are expected to have a strong commitment to Zen.  For more information, please see our Resident Guidelines.  If you’d like to discuss becoming a resident at Blue Heron, please contact Abbott Paul Gulick or Zen Master Jeong Ji.

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